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Social Circle - Addiction Recovery Group

Why a social circle is so valuable during recovery? – DaraRehab

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Life can be tough once you have completed rehab. There will be days when things go swimmingly, others will feel as if you are drowning.

The importance of staying strong:

Resilience is a key word for those progressing through recovery. There will be knocks and setbacks littering the way. Some may be half-expected, others will jump right out in front of you. This is why it is so important to stay strong and determined as you heal.

Things will get easier as time elapses, but the ups and downs can be far smoother and that much more manageable if you have a varied social circle.

An invaluable part of your support system:

Navigating recovery is a tricky business and there is little doubting that having a healthy social circle will do you the power of good. Friends from a variety of backgrounds, and with differing social skills can do wonders as part of your support system.

It will give options in terms of where to turn if a particular issue arises. Some of the circle will be better at addressing certain things than others. This means you have an all-important tool in your recovery locker: Choice.

You will be able to lean on those who can effectively keep you away from temptation, others to calm you, and those that are effective when reminders of your strengths are needed. This last point is very important when that necessary self-confidence goes missing.

Less time spent thinking about your own concerns:

It is vital that you are mindful and aware of the stresses and challenges that will be encountered throughout recovery, but dwelling on them for too long is not healthy.

By spending time with different sets of friends you will widen your view on things. Topics will be discussed that interest and invigorate.

Feeling far less alone:

During those drink or drug-fuelled days you will have had company all the hours god sends.

Making your way along the path of sobriety can leave you quite lonely. Loneliness is a major reason for relapse and relapse is not something to encourage.

A varied circle of social friends that are dedicated to sobriety can be very inclusive. You will feel part of the group you are with. This togetherness should also put you far more at ease.

Your outlook will improve no end:

Increasing your circle of friends with people who care, who have similar interests and who offer sound camaraderie will do your confidence and outlook on the future the power of good.

Feeling happy is an excellent tonic for strengthening your recovery determination. It should also help increase contentment with the way your progress is going.

Yes, of course there will be bad days, but with good friends on hand the problems or issues you face can be worked out to a positive end.

A solid circle of friends will help you, you will be keen to help them, and it is these partnerships that can form trusted, long lasting bonds that will make recovery that much more manageable.

Life without Alcohol

Is There Life Without Alcohol?

Articles, Australia, International, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Let’s get the answer to this question straight out…. YOU BET THERE IS!

Those whose lives revolve around alcohol really are missing out on a whole variety of things that can be enjoyed and achieved without needing to be constantly topped up.

For starters:

Regular or excessive drinking of alcohol leaves its mark. The morning after “one too many” there are not too many things you really feel like doing (apart from lying in a darkened room hoping to find the remote control that will stop it from spinning!).

If these “morning after’s” become a regular occurrence then less and less will be done and an alcohol dependence could begin to be formed.

Get out into the fresh air:

No matter what time of year it is, you are generally able to get out and about. So, don appropriate clothing, grab a loved one or some good friends and go for a woodland walk. Even if the countryside is a mite too far, there must be a choice of parks in your locality that you can stroll around.

This will not only give you good exercise, it will clear the mind and allow you to have meaningful (or meaningless!) conversations without having to shout over the hubbub of the bar or club you generally frequent.

A great addition to that fresh air:

Agree with whoever is joining you that you will make a picnic. Leave it to the individuals concerned as to what they decide to make and contribute.

The laugh you will have as you spread the blanket and hesitantly open the hamper will be a source of fun conversation throughout this fun-filled al-fresco dining experience.

And do not worry if the weather is not up to your feast, simply take it back home and spread the blanket in the living room. Food fights are optional!

Look for an unusual activity:

Scour the local ads and websites for activities that are new but sound fun. Rock-wall climbing will suit some, ice skating others, maybe there is a traditional public bowling green and if not hunt out the nearest bowling alley.

Assuming your health is up to it, don’t dismiss such sports as badminton or squash. Both will quickly wear you down, but should certainly put some colour in your cheeks.

A theatre outing:

This does not have to be a major production. Check out the amateur dramatic societies that are within travelling distance. The plays they put on are entertaining and can have you doubled-up with laughter at the regular innuendos that are all part of an excellent few hours.

The other ‘feel-good’ factor about supporting such a production is that the proceeds usually go to a local school, college or charity, so you will be safe in the knowledge that your entrance fee is going to a worthy cause.

Talking of worthy causes:

Donate an evening or a few hours each week to helping a local charity of your choice. These organistions are always in need of extra hands.

There is no need to over commit initially, but if you get into it then the pleasure will be all yours. You will also feel far better than those “morning after’s” in the knowledge that you have done your small part for an extremely worthy cause.

Drug Withdrawal Management

Why Drug Withdrawal May Need To Be Managed

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Withdrawal from your substance of choice is not a pleasant experience, but it is something that must be experienced if you are to free yourself from addiction.

How difficult is drug withdrawal?

There is no straightforward set of answers to this one. It depends upon many factors that include:

  • The type of substance a person is addicted to
  • The length of time consistent use has been present
  • The amount of the drug being used daily
  • How rapidly this use is increasing
  • The physical health of the person concerned
  • The mental health of the person concerned

Symptoms to be expected during drug withdrawal:

Ceasing drug use after a sustained period means that the body will react in a negative fashion. These effects will be felt in many parts of the body, particularly the nervous and hormonal systems.

This is why those suddenly ceasing heavy drug use feel:

  • Physical pain – aches and pains throughout the body are common.
  • Blood pressure – Rises in blood pressure or unstable blood pressure levels will occur.
  • Profuse sweating – A person will feel uncomfortably hot, even in rooms that are cool and well ventilated.
  • Severe nausea – Feelings of sickness are often accompanied by the person being physically sick.

If you have decided to go through drug withdrawal without professional help then these are symptoms that must be recognized. If any of these symptoms, a rapidly increasing heartbeat or breathing problems occur then professional help must be sought immediately.

Detoxification should be considered:

This point is particularly relevant for those users that have a long-term history of abuse. Professionally monitored detox can help to ease symptoms and ensure that withdrawal does not cause life-threatening issues.

Detox offers a set of medically supervised interventions that help manage acute intoxication and withdrawal. A successful detox will help to clear the substance from a person’s body while minimizing any physical harm.

Unique plans but 3 constant elements:

Dependent upon which treatment centre a person chooses for detox will depend upon the exact type of procedures involved, but there are 3 major elements all establishments will address. These are:

  • Evaluation: Your detox professional will test for drugs present in the user’s system. They should also establish any co-occurring physical or psychological conditions. This evaluation is important for withdrawal, but will also serve to define the type of treatment a user receives once withdrawal is complete.
  • Stabilisation: This is the core of the detox procedure. It involves the user being assisted to help overcome the various withdrawal symptoms. This can be achieved either by intensive counselling or through the use of medical therapy and medication. Another key factor here is making it clear to the user what their role and responsibilities are during detox, ongoing treatment and recovery.
  • On-going treatment: It needs to be made very clear that detox alone will not ensure a user remains drug free in the long-term. To achieve this recovery, they need to accept and embrace rehabilitation treatment. There are many different types of treatment available and decisions need to be made on which is most suitable for the individual.
relapse

Heroin Relapse – Close To The Surface

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, United Kingdom, United States

Heroin is a highly addictive drug and it takes more than most for those dependent upon it to withdraw.

A common theme of those who have managed to kick the drug is that thoughts, feelings and desires for more of the same often surface.

Below we will consider the price of heroin, what high’s it offers, the withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced and why heroin overdose is very much a reality for those who re-start use.

Bargain price!

It is easy to understand reasons for users progressing to heroin. Major factors are its wide availability and the fact that it is not as expensive as many other drugs. Indeed, prescription opiates are far more expensive. An added ‘bonus’ for users is that heroin purchased offers higher purity.

Highest high:

Those users who have been through heroin addiction describe the high as a wonderful, euphoric one. It puts them in their own world and leaves everything else way behind. Relaxation, a pleasant drowsiness and a complete feeling of well-being are some of the reasons that this moreish drug is used again and again.

In short, users cannot get enough of it, but the caveat is that while they may quickly become addicted, ‘Smack’ will not let go easily. It becomes so much of a person’s life that nothing else really matters, and this is where the problems escalate. Heroin users will do pretty much anything to ensure they have a constant supply of the drug.

Trouble with a capital ‘T’:

Physical and mental illness are regular partners to those who remain on heroin for any amount of time. Social exclusion for a person addicted to heroin can be expected, isolation in terms of nowhere to turn are common.

This can lead to a person breaking the law simply to feed their habit. Opportunist theft, burglary and prostitution all constitute ways to get quantities of the drug that will only deepen dependence the longer use continues.

Heroin Relapse – Withdrawal is difficult:

Suddenly withdrawing from heroin will offer pain that can be excruciating. This includes:

  • Greatly increased anxiety.
  • Insomnia and deeply troubled sleep when it eventually comes.
  • Aching bones and muscles.
  • Restless leg syndrome – A user coming off heroin will be unable to keep their legs from shaking.
  • Immense agitation
  • Varying levels of irritability

Then there are the physical symptoms that regularly include:

  • Feelings of nausea
  • Physical vomitting
  • Cold sweats
  • Excess body heat or extremes of cold
  • Diarrhea

Beating heroin addiction is achievable:

While the above symptoms may appear unbearable, they are not. With fierce determination, a heroin user can leave the drug in the past, but they must always be on their guard in terms of a relapse.

Ex-users often relate how tempting it is to climb back on the ‘Horse’, the problems with doing so are many-fold and such thoughts need to be quashed. By re-starting use a user will be undoing a lot of the good work in terms of recovery.

Another serious danger is the risk of overdosing. This is because when a person re-starts use they often do so at dosage levels equivalent to what they were using at their peak. Such huge amounts are simply too much for the body to handle and often result in fatal overdoses.

Please bear this in mind if you have managed to kick heroin and thoughts of returning to use surface at any time.

Excessive Drinking

The Increasing Problems Excessive Drinking Brings

Articles, Australia, United Kingdom, United States

Many people look down their noses at those who regularly use illegal drugs, yet rarely give a second thought to the problems that excessive drinking of alcohol can bring.

Perhaps this is because of its legal status, but whatever the reason, the problems that excessive alcohol intake bring cannot and must not be overlooked.

Increased social problems:

Those who drink to excess will find their social problems increase. Friends will start to shun them due to their boorish nature when drunk, family members will be wary of their moods that can change at the drop of an ice-cube and relationships with a loved one will suffer due to lack of attention or care.

This is because the only thing that is really important to someone dependent upon alcohol is where their next drink is coming from.

Trouble can tend to follow:

Getting involved in arguments or fighting can often be a trait of those who regularly drink too much. The fact of the matter is that they are not fully in control of their senses.

Excessive drinking can lead to them being obnoxious, aggressive or violent for little reason while they are out drinking, and often happens in a cowardly way in terms of domestic violence.

Once back home, arguments can start that will be blown out of all proportion and the aftermath can lead to upset, worry and injury.

Increased health risks:

Regular or excessive drinking builds a tolerance for alcohol. What this means is that a person who drinks regularly needs more of the same on a regular basis simply to achieve the feelings previously experienced.

In many cases a regular, heavy drinker can consume quantities of alcohol that would put those who drink in moderation in serious danger or even kill them.

Some of the unwanted long-term health risks that a heavy drinker, or one who regularly binges are leaving themselves open to include:

  • Serious liver problems – The liver takes the brunt of alcohol consumed. This is because one of its functions is to safely breakdown the toxins it contains. Flooding or overloading the liver on a constant basis will eventually lead to problems that will at best reduce a person’s quality of life and at worst place them in an early grave.
  • Heart disease – The extra pressure a heavy drinker is putting on their heart can lead to a wide variety of heart diseases. Heart attacks being a prime example
  • Strokes – Many heavy drinkers suffer from strokes that can leave them with varying degrees of paralysis. Once again, a person’s quality of life will be adversely affected.
  • Blood pressure issues – Many heavy drinkers suffer from high blood pressure in later years. Others must contend with low blood pressure. This can lead to conditions such as anemia and malnutrition.
If you are struggling with a drinking problem PLEASE do not hide it:

There should be no excuse for trying to hide a problem with alcohol. Shame should not come into it, nor embarrassment.

The fact is that alcohol currently has the better of you and it will continue to do so until you seek much needed professional help and seek treatment for alcoholism.

By quitting denial and asking for help you are making a very brave statement and one that could ultimately save your life.